Bonkers Bike Ride - The JOURNEY and the ROUTE

Between now and the end of September we will be hosting a campaign to challenge the stigma attached to mental health. The focal point of this campaign will be the BONKERS BIKE RIDE 2013 taking place on SATURDAY 21st SEPTEMBER 2013

There will be TWO routes available on the day; a LONG DISTANCE route from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Barmouth and a FAMILY ROUTE from Dolgellau to Barmouth and Back.

The FAMILY RIDE (approx 20 miles)

This will start at Dolgellau Main Car park at 10.30am on Saturday 21st September 2013. The route will followthe MAWDDACH TRAIL from Dolgellau to Barmouth, crossing the Barmouth Bridge and proceeding to the LEISURE CENTRE in Barmouth. Apart from ashort section of the route between the end of the Barmouth Bridge to Barmouth Harbour, this route is off road on well made up surfaces and is mostly flat. It is therefore considered to be suitable for all abilities, including children and families.

THE FULL RIDE (approx 40 miles)

Will start at the Car park area adjacent to the Old Market Hall in Blaenau Ffestiniog (opposite Tan Y Maen Centre) and will proceed along the main road and Cycle Route 82 to Penryhndeudraeth where it will go south on Cycle route 8 to Barmouth. This route is well signposted as national cycle routes but is STRENUOUS and so is suitable only for experienced riders who are physically fit. It is mostly on quiet lanes or country roads but does include some main road sections. It is suitable for tourers and hybrid cycles and no specialised mountain biking ability is required.

Refreshments and toilet facilities will be available at points along both routes. Cyclists will be responsible for their own return trip to their chosen starting points. Public transport for cycles is limited in the area and whilst there is a station at Barmouth for return to Penrhyndeudraeth cyclists should check well in advance with National Rail to ensure that cycles can be carried on this route.

AS PART OF THE BUILD UP to the main event there willl be a series of 'Coffee Mornings' which will take place at various locations across South Gwynedd in August and the campaign will culminate with a BEACH PARTY (weather permitting) in Barmouth on the beach adjacent to the Leisure Centre. In the event of bad weather the party will take place in the Leisure Centre itself.

Our route takes in the whole length of the area covered by Tan Y Maen Wellbeing and Resource Centre as well as some of the most fantastic scenery in Wales, the UK and the World.